COLLEGE FOOTBALL; Foul Play Is Unlikely In U.S.C. Kicker's Death

Published: January 8, 2007

Foul play was probably not a factor in the death of Southern California place-kicker Mario Danelo, whose body was found about 120 feet down a rocky cliff, the police said Sunday.

''It was fairly apparent that this was either an accident or suicide,'' Lt. Paul Vernon said.

Danelo's brother Joey said Sunday that ''it was an unfortunate accident.''

''He was a good kid,'' Joey Danelo said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. ''There was not a person I know that didn't like him.''

Danelo was the 21-year-old son of the former N.F.L. place-kicker Joe Danelo, who played three seasons for the Giants (1980-82). A junior, he made two field goals Monday in the Rose Bowl to help U.S.C. defeat Michigan, 32-18.

Investigators were examining evidence recovered after Danelo's body was found Saturday afternoon near Point Fermin Lighthouse in the city's San Pedro section.

The police said that a person operating a remote-control airplane Saturday noticed something at the bottom of the cliff, and a friend hiked down to the beach and discovered the body.

Although the police have not ruled out foul play, Vernon said, ''there didn't appear to be a crime involved.'' An autopsy could be performed as early as Monday, coroner's officials said.

Investigators were looking into whether Danelo was out with friends Friday night. He was last seen around midnight, the authorities said.

A makeshift memorial was placed near the top of the steep cliff. A flag bearing the U.S.C. logo was spread out, surrounded by flowers and candles; the message ''Rest in Peace Danelo'' was spray-painted on the ground.

A Fire Department spokesman, Brian Humphrey, said that investigators did not find a surfboard, scuba-diving tanks or anything else to indicate that Danelo might have been there for any of the recreational activities common to the area.

Humphrey said that over the years a handful of people had fallen from the cliff.

''It's entirely possible that he fell,'' Humphrey said.

Danelo made 15 of 16 field-goal attempts this season and led the Trojans in scoring with 89 points.

He missed only 2 field goals in 28 attempts in his career, and he was 127 of 134 on extra points. In 2005, he set N.C.A.A. single-season records with 83 extra points and 86 attempts.

A U.S.C. spokesman, Tim Tessalone, speaking on behalf of Trojans Coach Pete Carroll, said: ''We were stunned to hear about this tragedy. This is a great loss. Mario was a wonderful young man of high character.

''He was one heck of a kicker. He was a key ingredient in our success the past two years. The thoughts and prayers of the entire Trojan family go out to the Danelo family on this sad, sad day.''

Linebacker Dallas Sartz said that Danelo would be remembered for his upbeat personality and dependable kicking.

Sartz, a team captain, said, ''I just remember Mario was the guy who always had a smile on his face and would always cheer you up.''